'Slovakia': Memory of Kuciak and Kusnirova Commitment to Defending Justice

Bratislava, 20 February (TASR) - The memory of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova constitutes a permanent commitment to defending justice, the rule of law and freedom of the media, opposition MPs ('Slovakia'–'For the People' caucus) told a press conference held in the village of Velka Maca (Trnava region) on Friday. "We should be reminding ourselves of Jan's and Martina's courage. We must never forget what Jan did, how brave he was, and that he didn't fear even the most powerful people in this country," said caucus head Michal Sipos. MP Gabor Grendel believes that justice will ultimately be served in this case. "We believe that the trial will one day end with the conviction of all perpetrators – not only those who pulled the trigger, but especially those who ordered the murder. Because without the mastermind, there would have been no murder," he added. 'For the People' chair and MP Veronika Remisova also emphasised that Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova mustn't be forgotten. "We owe them a better and fairer Slovakia, for which they died," she commented. Journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were murdered in their house in Velka Maca (Trnava region) on 21 February 2018. Three sentences have been handed down in the case, with the perpetrators of the murders Miroslav Marcek and Tomas Szabo serving 25 years in jail and Zoltan Andrusko 15 years. The trial involving the alleged masterminds of the murder, Marian K. and Alena Zs. [names abbreviated due to legal reasons], has not yet reached a final verdict, after the first two judgments were quashed by the Supreme Court. The case is currently being tried for the third time before the Specialised Criminal Court. jrg/df